India : E-BUSES TO PLY ON PUNE ROADS UNDER SMART CITY MISSION

Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited (PSCDCL) has come up with an idea to introduce electrical buses in the city under the go-green initiative. The civic body is looking forward to getting three electrical buses (also called e-buses) under the Pune Mahananagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) on a trial basis for one month.

Under the chairmanship of Nitin Kareer of PSCDCL, members took decision on Saturday, which was also the governing body’s first anniversary. Three buses will be deployed on a trial basis before roping in 100 vehicles, which will run between Aundh, Baner and Balewadi.

During the board meeting, 11 companies showed an interest in in providing e-buses for the smart city project. However, only three of the 11firms were ready to make trial runs.

Company’s board member, Chetan Tupe, said, “During the discussion of electrical buses, we have decided not to deploy 100 electrical buses without checking its financial viability and performance. The trial run of three buses will help us know the expenditure on electricity taken to recharge a bus.”

Tupe said, “PMPML will decide the route for the buses and provide the conductor. Bus provider companies will give their bus drivers. The PMPML will charge normal charges from commuters. After one month of trials, PSCDCL will take final decision on these electrical buses.”